Mark 9:29 - So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
I was thinking about this verse as we are fasting and praying. It’s interesting how there are certain demons that only come out when we starve our flesh and feed our spirits. What is it about fasting and prayer that takes us to another level of authority?
Julio C. Ruibal said, “Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs.”
I was thinking about how we become stronger spiritually when we become weaker physically. There is something about being weak and hungry that promotes more spiritual strength. I like the fact that the weaker we get the stronger He gets in us.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong
It makes this fast much more meaningful when I think of all the things I am praying for in my life, my family and my church. I realize that I cannot handle this in my own strength. It is only going to be by the strength and power of the Lord. So I take pleasure in this fast knowing that He is becoming stronger in my life and I am excited to see the great victories that are going to be won on my knees with an empty stomach.
Questions to meditate on…
(1) What major things do you want to see God do in your life?
(2) What areas do you need to see victory in?
(3) Who in your life are you praying for?
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I realized last night that I have forgotten that God cares about even the littlest details in my life. I had the image of a daddy sitting in his recliner after a day of work and I crawled up on his lap to tell him about all the things that happened in my day, no matter how big or how small, he wanted to hear them all. I litterally felt the Almighty's hand on the small of my back last night guiding me, as I walked around the room. It is sooo comforting to know He is right there with me in everything! His love spurs me on, in my love for Him and for those around me. I was reminded that when I am secure in my relationship with Him it enables me to take my eyes off of myself, resting in the fact that I am wanted. Than I can minister and bless those around me all the more freely and dilegently.
Ronni,
Last night I realized the same thing. I was bringing Him all of these things that I was carrying and not casting them on him and I started to cry because I realized that He cared about them too. I love what God is doing in this time of my life. I am learning a lot and I want to hold on to these lessons. I really learned to cast my cares upon Him last night. I guess I just thought there where things I had to work out myself. How prideful is that!!! Thank you Jesus for listening to all my prayers.
I was so blessed by last night's prayer. I had a hard time sharing at first… wanted to be all "leader-like" (stupid) and just focus on my girls and what they were needing. Really, I just felt uncomfortable being vulnerable and admitting that I have needs (pride). But they didn't let me get away with that! I shared my heart (tearfully), and they surrounded me (literally, covered me) and loved me through my imperfections and were the very picture of the Father to me. They wept with me, and I saw the heart of God through the way they loved me! It was a very humbling and satisfying moment. Why do I feel like I have to impress anyone or put on a show of strength?!? It's looking like the theme of week thus far is a simple (yet earth-shattering) lesson in laying myself, my cares, and my strength on the Lord and allowing Him to live through me. I think til now, I've tried to live my life with Him in it, instead of Him being my life.